Writer: The Apostle Paul.
Place of writing: The city of Corinth.
Date of completion: Around 56 AD.
Introduction
The chapter-by-chapter commentaries on the Epistle to the Romans will not follow a linear approach (such as a verse-by-verse study); instead, they will focus on key points emerging from the chapter under discussion. In keeping with the “Sola Scriptura” principle (the Bible and the Bible alone), it is recommended to read the passage in question (chapter by chapter) beforehand. Such reading is far more important than consulting human commentaries —however insightful they may be — as it allows the reader to have their own personal understanding first. To this end, an online Bible is available to you, or you may, of course, read from your own copy of the Scriptures.
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Chapter 1 (Please read this chapter either in your own copy or by clicking on the online Bible).
« Both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to wise and to senseless ones, I am a debtor; 15 so I am eager to declare the good news also to you there in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the good news; it is, in fact, God’s power for salvation to everyone having faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it God’s righteousness is being revealed by faith and for faith, just as it is written: “But the righteous one will live by reason of faith » (verses 14-17).
The expression « good news, » which Jesus Christ also used, is a public proclamation of truths regarding the Kingdom of God and, more generally, biblical teachings. This good news is preached publicly through simple proclamation (Matthew 24:14). It is also taught publicly within Christian congregations or in private homes (Matthew 28:19, 20).
« For God’s wrath is being revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who are suppressing the truth in an unrighteous way, 19 because what may be known about God is clearly evident among them, for God made it clear to them. 20 For his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable. 21 For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God nor did they thank him, but they became empty-headed in their reasonings and their senseless hearts became darkened. 22 Although claiming they were wise, they became foolish 23 and turned the glory of the incorruptible God into something like the image of corruptible man and birds and four-footed creatures and reptiles » (verses 18–23).
The Apostle Paul shows that disregarding the message of the Good News can have serious consequences: the wrath of God (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9). In verse 20, he explains that, beyond the proclamation of the Good News, divine qualities are evident through the observation of creation. Some, denying God’s existence, do not seek to thank Him; worse still, they replace the expression of this natural divinity with corruptible objects of worship shaped like animals—an insult to God.
« Therefore, God, in keeping with the desires of their hearts, gave them up to uncleanness, so that their bodies might be dishonored among them. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for the lie and venerated and rendered sacred service to the creation rather than the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen. 26 That is why God gave them over to uncontrolled sexual passion, for their females changed the natural use of themselves into one contrary to nature; 27 likewise also the males left the natural use of the female and became violently inflamed in their lust toward one another, males with males, working what is obscene and receiving in themselves the full penalty, which was due for their error » (verses 24-32).
The Apostle Paul goes much further in describing those who deny God’s existence, explaining that this can lead to destructive behavior and human—or even civilizational—degradation characterized by grave immoral acts, such as homosexuality or even transsexuality; as he writes, they « changed the natural use of themselves into one contrary to nature » (verse 26). He demonstrates that, whether on an individual level or that of an entire people, disregarding God leads to personal ruin and the collapse of a civilization (as history bears witness) (Hebrews 11:6).
To be continued…
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Table of contents of the http://yomelyah.fr/ website
Reading the Bible daily, this table of contents contains informative Bible articles (Please click on the link above to view it)…
Table of languages of more than seventy languages, with six important biblical articles, written in each of these languages…
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